Today we’ll take a closer look at two unusual vessels on the river this week: the USNS Eagleview, which is currently docked at the Port of Astoria. And the Pan Viva, a ship that had a close call in Alaska recently in bad weather. A lot of difficult, careful work by the Coast Guard and and coorinated resources saved this ship from a disaster.
Podcast: Play in new window
The topic of how long it takes a ship to get from one place to another on the river can be quite complex.
Today we’ll hear from a river expert who’ll explain more about what factors are in play on the Columbia River that affect vessel transit times.
Podcast: Play in new window
Today, a look at how long it takes big ships to get from one place to another on the Columbia River.
Podcast: Play in new window
Today, a listener question about marine pilots: which ships take them and which don’t?
In the majority of cases, it’s a matter of the law. And we certainly see a lot of local domestic vessels, like tugs and excursion vessels, and US-flagged river cruise ships, that don’t take pilots. Their captains know the river well.
But almost all large visiting vessels operating in land waterways, worldwide, use the services of marine pilots, for safety reasons.
Podcast: Play in new window
I got a question about ships at anchor off Astoria, one I’ve answered before… but it’s always good to revisit these very visible and wonderfully local examples of “how things work” on the river.
Today we’ll talk about tides and their effects on anchored ships, and what their appearance and position tell us about what is happening on the river.
Podcast: Play in new window
Today’s riddle: When is a sinking ship not a sinking ship? In this case, this week on the lower Columbia, it’s probably the split-hull hopper dredge Bayport, a ship that is designed to split in half without sinking.
Podcast: Play in new window
and
